safety and health management

Editorial Comments

Safety for everyone: If only it was that simple

February 3, 2020

"Safety for everyone” is the tagline of a 60-second Honda commercial you might have seen this fall. It tugs at the heart strings. A series of images is accompanied by voice-overs:

Rethinking Traditional Safety, Part 2

Three sources of unexpected events

Larry Wilson

January 1, 2020

Last issue, we discussed whether it was hazards or is it hazardous energy. The conclusion is that it's really hazardous or potentially hazardous energy… which can move. People can also move, which means that eyes and mind on task are very important, which means that human error is important whenever people are moving or things around them are moving.

The safety leader’s role in changing culture

Creating Dissatisfaction

Richard G Raymer, BSME, CSP

November 1, 2019

A rather simple description of culture is: That’s just the way we do things around here. From a safety & health perspective, the way things are done stays the same until someone or some group, with the competency and power to make change, becomes dissatisfied with the S&H status quo.

‘Safety culture’ is a messy concept

Too many interpretations lead to haphazard applications

Timothy Ludwig Ph.D.

October 4, 2018

The term “Safety culture” has become like the term “engagement” in popular management writings. There is no common agreement on the term. We are left with (mis)interpretations of terms like “safety culture,” which lead to haphazard attempts at changing organizations toward improvement.

Risk management standard gets an update

September 11, 2018

A decade-old standard developed to help companies with risk management has been revised and adopted as a U.S. national standard. The new version reflects the evolution of risk management from a separate, departmentalized activity to an integrated management competency.

Here’s what OSHA’s advisors will be talking about on Sept. 8

August 31, 2016

The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) – the group that advises the Secretary of Labor on all matters relating to the occupational safety and health of federal employees – will meet on Sept. 8, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

Monthly message from ASSE President

Our calling card

Michael Belcher CSP

February 2, 2016

Recently, someone who is engaged in the DC political scene for safety told me that the failure of the current administration’s OSHA to issue an injury and illness prevention plan standard (or I2P2) was an historic lost opportunity for OSH professionals and ASSE members.

Huntsman Polyurethanes’ Auburn Hills site receives fourth consecutive “Star” status award from MIOSHA

July 3, 2015

Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) announced the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) awarded its Auburn Hills, Michigan site continued status as a “Star” participant in the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP), keeping the status the site has maintained since 2004.

Top risk factors in European workplaces: psychosocial & musculoskeletal

June 25, 2015

Psychosocial and musculoskeletal risk factors are the most widespread in Europe’s workplaces, according to the Second European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER-2). The results of this survey — which collected responses from almost 50,000 workplaces — were unveiled earlier this month at the European Parliament.

How one company improved safety and health in its workplace

“Now we are talking about safety in a proactive positive way”

July 2, 2014

"We've already experienced increased communication about our safety program, and now we are talking about safety in a proactive positive way. Employees are proud to work for a company that cares about safety and makes it a priority. Not only has our communication and awareness of safety issues increased, we expect to see reductions in worker compensation insurance premiums and general liability premiums," said Elizabeth Duffrin, Chief Financial Officer.